I was surprised this morning to see Mr. S (see my last post) pull into the driveway. I was occupied at that point in time in seriously setting up for my Director's Interview (which I did manage to squeeze in this morning), but I trotted out to greet him and was invited to go along as Mr. and Mrs. S went through their hives this afternoon! The long and the short of that was an enthusiastic yes! Even if perhaps I didn't seem all that excited...I really was.

After scarfing down a delicious lunch that Katherine threw together (I really could have been more helpful, I suppose), I headed off the few miles to their house. I arrived, got introduced to the Mrs...who pleasantly surprised me by doing something rather more characteristically Southern--she gave me a hug! As the afternoon wore on, I discovered that she is a rather enthusiastic soul who really enjoys raising bees and sharing what she knows about them. 

I rode along with them in the back seat of their pick-up; veiling up at each stop since I didn't want to seem too much of the dare-devil by going veil-less, even though I really was having trouble observing as closely as I would have liked. 

We stopped at five different locations. The first hive I mainly just stood back and peered over Mr. S's arm when he was showing me the brood comb--larva and eggs! Now I know what the eggs look like--only I wonder if I will be capable of seeing them in my cells as they do not have that black plastic backing (I forget the exact name for it). They told me that that hive had essentially gone gang-busters last year and the opted against splitting it--and the colony basically died out over the winter; so that hive was, in a way, just getting back on it's feet. Maybe that was the hive that they had put a package of Florida bees in...I think it was.

The second location, the homeowner (the local middle school principal!) suited up and peered over Mr. S's arm as I actually touched this hive. It had swarmed a couple weeks ago and they were primarily looking to see if one of the new queens raised up by the bees had started laying. For all we could see, not yet.

The third location had three hives total--one of which was located deeper on the property than the first two. I helped Mrs. S in the first two hives while Mr. S drilled round 1"-2" holes in the top of the inner covers (I'll come back to that in a bit). Propolis is really very sticky (bee glue, anyone?)... Anyway, I got to use my hive tool (I brought my own along, which they approved of) and pull a few frames. Both those hives were doing nicely. The second of the first two held bees from Georgia (like mine!) and were probably the most gentle of all the hives we got into. [None of us got stung and apparently even the more ornery ones behaved nicely today.] 

The third hive at that location, set more in the shade, holds what are, they told me, their most vicious bees. I am grateful that they behaved themselves, but I did stand ready, if necessary (whether or not it looked like it as I was attempting to peer into the hive) to start my quick trek to the truck!

The fourth location was right there on Jo's property (Jo is a lady I know from the Farmer's Market)--I didn't know that at first, but I figured it out and asked by the time we were done there. Once again, I got to help a little and those bees, also more normally irritable, were gentle. I think they had requeened that one...or the bees had requeened themselves. Other than that it was the third hive at the previous location. I forget.

The fifth location (after a brief bathroom stop at their house and a new battery for Mr. S's drill), had two hives on it. The first of those was rather weak and they decided to put a feeder on it. 

The second one--oh...my...goodness. BEES. This one was exploding. I was told that they have already split this hive once this year and have already taken one or two honey supers off it--and there are two more ready to come off.

Anyway, as we are poking through the hive, looking at the brood...brood...brood...Mr. S asks me if I think I could a afford a second queen. Well...because if so...he wanted to give me a couple frames of brood!! 

WHAT? Seriously??

I hemmed a little, I guess partly because I didn't want to seem greedy--but FREE BEES!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! ("Sounds like an agreeable proposition...")

Obviously not, because I now have another nuc sitting in the side yard with two frames of capped brood and a frame of capped honey in it. The nuc hive box I will return when I move them out, but until then, it's on loan. (I need to do some shopping around and find the best pricing on more hive bodies, supers, frame, etc.)

Gee...I tell you what, I want to be those kind of people. So gracious and giving. "Here kid, have some more bees. We want to support you in your enthusiasm and desire to beekeep." Wow.

Anyway, things I learned today:

• Beekeepers cannot be overly uneasy about smushing bees. 
  
• The difference between worker brood and drone brood. Drone brood looks more like popcorn.
• I kind of already knew what queen cells looked like, but I saw quite a few in the second hive. There is also something called a queen cup; I guess they keep one or two hanging around in case their queen dies so they can immediately move a larva in? I'm not sure. I reckon I should have asked a few more questions regarding that. (I was probably busy hauling my veil out of my face.)
• Once the bees cap the honey, they are done with that until they start eating it. In other words, they don't build a second layer over the top of it. For whatever reason, I thought perhaps they did. 
• Different breeds of bees really do look different. I am afraid I haven't the slightest notion as to which breed(s) I now possess, but that the bees from Georgia are a smaller, lighter colored bee than the ones the S's gave me. Mrs. S was telling me about some that they got from Louisiana that were even lighter colored yet! 
• Propolis will stick your gloves and hive tool together. Just so you know. That stuff is gooey.
• Mr. S was drilling holes in his inner covers in order to ventilate the hive better. I hadn't heard of that or of the propping of the telescoping cover, but it makes sense. I just wonder if he is going to buy new inner covers for winter or stick the hunks of wood he drilled out back into them? Maybe I'll ask later on.

I had a grand ol' time all in all this afternoon. I thoroughly appreciate their willingness to help me out, to show me what they know, to let me get a little hands on experience...and the little compliment that I heard drop when Mrs. S was talking to Mama when we brought the new nuc over. I guess I was a little calmer around the bees than perhaps she was expecting. :)

I only had any worry of being stung once--and that was at that last, exploding, hive. I got a bee in my glove. But she soon trotted out back into the sunshine. I do not imagine the inside of my glove would be a place a nectar eating insect would like to stay very long in. There were a few jokes about not letting the bees up one's pant legs...I get the impression it happened last time they went through hives...it sounds like the ol' fire-ant reaction. 

I had a really good time and I really, really, really appreciate my new bees!! 

I had barely gotten started in my race to get a little mowing in before the weather hit, when I glanced over my shoulder to see a Ford pick-up slowing down with it's blinker on as it neared our driveway. Curious as to whom this strange vehicle belonged, I crawled off the mower and went to meet the overalled gent who exited said truck.

Mr. S introduced himself, and because I was slightly startled by an unexpected visitor, I forget his first name. Anyway, in the course of conversation, I discovered that he is our tenant's right-hand man's father! Anyway, the first thing that he said upon stepping out of the truck was, "You must be the bee-keeper extraordinaire."

Um...not really...but before he told me, I had put two and two together and figured that our most wonderful mail lady had told him about me, just as she had told Mama about the several other local folks with bees.

Anyway, I showed him my hive and I won't do more than mention the fact that a hunk of comb heavy with honey fell off while he was inspecting a frame...so I'm now draining out some really nicely flavored "golden honey". (I wasn't really upset, after all, I've done it myself already!) My attempt at tying it back onto the frame was rather futile and only resulted in me getting my first sting. (Or half a sting. I barely felt it. Apparently I am not allergic to bee-stings either. I can assure Grandpa of that now.) Mr. S managed to get stung twice, poor man, but I think he'll survive. :) After all, he's been bee-keeping for several years and has over a dozen hives. 

BUT...to my great joy, he was able to assure me that I do have brood--and I could see the larvae in the cells!!! I'm not quite sure I could tell the eggs. That was the frame the queen tumbled off of on Tuesday. I'm so excited!! (I must sound like a nut...)

So...there's my update. Since I have been in them twice now this week, maybe I'll skip next week's check up and let them alone for a bit before looking in on them again.

Mr. S also invited me to go along to the next Bee Club meeting that he's a member of...and if I'm interested in "going through some hives" to drop in. I know where he lives now...so perhaps...

I still cannot determine whether or not I have brood. I did however spot the queen today!
More than that, she took a tumble off the frame I was observing to land at my feet! I sure am glad I double checked that particular insect. I scooped her up on my hive tool and put her back on the frame. Immediately she was surrounded and went about taking the 'homage' of the workers. I was hoping that I might see her lay an egg, but she seemed more pre-occupied with something else at the moment. 

The amount of comb still grows in the hive and several of the frames are getting rather heavy with honey, even though they are not quite half filled in with comb. The last couple of times I have gotten into the hive, I have had to damage a little of the comb in order to lift out the frames, leaving honey dripping down it. The bees gather round and get to work on it even while I'm still holding the frame. It's really kind of neat.

Today I went into the hive with only gloves on for extra protection; my shirt was sleeveless--and I might have had a bee walking up the back of my arm, but I couldn't really tell; it might have just been one of those little gnats that get on sweaty people. Either way, I just held still and pretended like it didn't tickle. I'm thankful that, so far, the bees seem to be really docile and know that I don't intend on hurting them. 

Hopefully I can say for sure soon whether or not I have any brood...

I cannot make up my mind if I have brood or if I do not have brood. I am yet so inexperienced that I cannot say. I did not spot the queen (as far as I am aware), but I am going to assume that she was there. 

The bees seem to be happy enough, busily building comb and flying in and out. I haven't gotten stung yet... :)

Katherine came out yesterday and took pictures...so take a peek. :)

In other words, I hope to put up part two tomorrow when I check...but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Last Wednesday, after checking two or three different bee suppliers, I decided that to be completely sure of myself that I had better double check that my queen was gone. (*cue Granddaddy singing "Gone, Gone, Gone"...oh, sorry...some of you don't have the slightest clue to how funny he made that song sound. :])

Anyway, in a gale of wind (boy did it blow for most of last week!), I suited up and went to work carefully lifting first one frame out and then the replacing it, etc. About the second one, my veil came off since I simply could not see as well as I needed to. No stings...not even any real upset. For my weekly check-ups, I think I'll just leave the thing off from now on (unless they start getting scrouchy on me). 

I did not see the queen here, there, or yonder, though I kept an eye peeled. I admit that I didn't really expect to find her there, but I was looking at the frames with just as much intensity as if I did. 

Friday morning, I ordered a queen from a place roughly an hour north of us--with a pick-up option. So...Saturday morning, after two wet hours at the Farmer's Market, we packed up for the rest of the day and Savannah and I hit the road:

We got into rain after those sunny-looking pictures were taken....but anyway, we made the trip up with no problems and picked up my new queen.

When we got home, I had a little chit-chat with Grandpa, during which I took a brief run out of doors to go ahead and stick the queen cage into the bottom of the hive--with absolutely no protective gear on. Safe. 

See, he recommended that I go ahead and put the cage in without uncorking either end (one end has candy in it that the bees will eat through, the other end simply has a cork) to see if the bees were going to take to her. Well, after I got done talking with him, I decided that since it was Saturday and I really didn't want to get into my hive two days in a row...particularly the second day being Sunday (I'm a semi-strict sabbatarian)...that I was going to go ahead and uncork the candy end--since the bees kind of "have" to take her anyway. So...I put on an overshirt (so my corduroy wasn't the wisest choice) and my gloves and took that frame out again. 

By the way, I've decided that I am going to call all my queen's Deborah (since the name means "Queen bee")...so the current one is Deborah II or, D-2 for short.